Landmark Theatre to use $2M state grant to replace the marquee, auditorium seats

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Landmark Theatre in downtown Syracuse will use a $2 million state grant to replace the Salina Street marquee and all the seats in the venue’s auditorium.

New York State Assemblyman William Magnarelli (D–Syracuse) announced the state funding during a late Wednesday morning event inside the downtown venue. He noted that the seat-replacement project is “long overdue.”

“These important capital improvements will help to sustain the historical and iconic building for years to come,” Magnarelli said in his remarks.

The Dormitory Authority of State of New York will administer the $2 million grant funding, per a Landmark Theatre news release about the project. The Landmark anticipates crews will complete both projects in the summer of 2020.

The total cost for both projects and all the ancillary projects that surround them is around $2.5 million, so the Landmark has about 80 percent of its funding, Mike Intaglietta, executive director of the Landmark Theatre, said in speaking with reporters after the formal announcement.

“We’ll be … seeking support from the community, grant funding from foundations to meet the goal. I’m very optimistic this is going to generate a lot of enthusiasm,” he said.

Crews will replace the current marquee with a replica of the Landmark’s original 1928 marquee, with the addition of video displays and “high-efficiency” LED lamps.

The project also involves the replacement of the current seats in all sections of the theatre with more “ergonomic and comfortable” models, adding extra legroom per seat while retaining the historical color scheme and upholstery styles.

The project will also include additional ADA compliant seats will be added to layout as well. ADA is short for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

“This investment acknowledges the important role that our arts institutions play in our regional economy, and these improvements help us to preserve a treasured and historic performing arts venue right here in the heart of our downtown,” Andy Breuer, President of the Landmark Theatre board of directors, said.

Wednesday’s announcement focused on the future of the Landmark Theatre, but Intaglietta opened the event acknowledging that the downtown facility has had an active and “very successful” 2019.

“By year’s end, we will have well over 100,000 guests walk through those doors to enjoy our concerts, comedy, family shows, and touring Broadway productions,” Intaglietta said. “But we still have room to improve and better serve downtown Syracuse and the county of Onondaga.”

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com